It's a look beloved of the Beckhams in their Cotswolds farmhouse and embraced by designers everywhere tasked with creating simple, elegant, modern interiors.
inviting and homely, the new Modern Rustic trend combines old-world charm with contemporary minimalism to create luxurious, liveable interiors. It embodies warmth, comfort and style, allowing you to effortlessly marry treasured antique pieces with modern elements to create an inviting, deeply textured, always-been-there look. It emphasises the link between outside and in, celebrating the beauty and timeless charm of natural materials and colours.
1. Natural fabrics
Plain linens, ticking stripes, subtly-patterned wools and cottons reminiscent of slow days in the garden and treasured family holidays... From fixed to loose-covered sofas, curtains to blinds, natural fabrics provide an effortless link between the natural world outside and your living spaces.
Minimalist in nature, the Modern Rustic ftrend avours neutral fabrics with subtle texture for furniture – think relaxed linens for sofas, chairs and footstools. Introduce a subtle pop of colour with cushions, rugs and artwork, tying the scheme together with earthy accents that weave through each area of the room. Or add detail with button backs, on sofas, chairs or footstools like the Woodstock, pictured below.
Our Interior Design Studio is packed full of fabric books from all the major design houses, including Clarke & Clarke, Romo, Iliv, GP & J Baker, Sanderson, Colefax & Fowler, Jane Churchill, Warwick, Harlequin and Linwood. And our experienced designers are always on hand to help you navigate the best materials for upholstery, curtains and blinds, sending your chosen samples straight to your door by return.
Interior Design by Holloways
We love: Neptune's new Grotto fabric – seashells swimming among subtle corals and verdant greens. With a distinctly holiday house feel, it's fabulous in farmhouse, country cottage and coastal interiors alike.
2. Wood
From beams to bowls, consoles to chairs, whether yours is a period farmhouse or a contemporary home, adding wood to a scheme instantly imbues the space with warmth. Combine antique or contemporary dark wood favourites with more modern furniture and accessories, celebrating texture and tone.
Statement furniture like the Stratford dining table – which comes in round or elliptical styles – creates a focal point to build around in a Modern Rustic interior. Add Kenilworth chairs, custom-painted in shades from Paprika, pictured, to dramatic Walnut. You'll find it on display in our Neptune store-in-store.
We love: The woven rush seating on the Wycombe dining chairs, dining benches and folding chairs epitomises the Modern Rustic trend. Practical, beautiful and pleasingly nostalgic, they work as well in contemporary interiors as they do in period country homes.
3. Rustic rugs
Sisal or fibre flooring has long been the choice of those looking to create a farmhouse feel in their homes, whether town or country. Hard-wearing, easy to clean and remarkably forgiving of children and pets, a carefully-chosen fibre rug covers a multitude of carpet sins, is warm under foot and will ground your whole scheme.
A wool rug will do the same job, and we love the new Anta collection – traditionally handwoven in Scotland, the Highlands-inspired designs are bound in your choice of canvas or leather. Choose from myriad colours and patterns, all reminiscent of Scotland's dramatic landscape.
See a carefully-curated selection in our Rug Room, part of our Interior Design Studio. Our experts are on hand to help you choose yours, or create your own bespoke rug or runner to perfectly fit your space.
Explore rugs
4. Texture and form
Think retro styling and richly-textured materials like sheepskin and boucle. Combining contemporary linens with tactile fabrics on wooden furniture is the beating heart of the Modern Rustic trend. Spelling comfort and style, the juxtaposition creates a relaxed, effortless look that's instantly welcoming, lived in and homely.
Bold design and whimsical curves are key, whether that's furniture or cushions – we love the spherical lumbar on the Packwood loose-covered linen sofas, and Neptune's new woven wicker Athena lighting with beautiful scalloped edges.
We love: The Otis occasional chair, with its 60s-style dark wood frame and neutral boucle upholstery. It's great in a study, library, bedroom or as an accent chair in a sitting room.
5. The fifth wall
A highly detailed aesthetic, the Modern Rustic trend treats the ceiling as a fifth wall. Beams bring a natural warmth and a unique atmosphere to a room while, in more modern homes, a careful choice of paint colour can add drama and interest.
